Crowe to miss final, Jackman in doubt

Brookvale Oval will be packed to the rafters on Saturday night as Manly take on South Sydney, but Rabbitohs' co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court won't be there.

And the battle of the celebrity supporters could be a draw with movie star and Sea Eagles fan Hugh Jackman not a confirmed starter either.

Holmes a Court will view the match on television in the NSW southern highlands, while Crowe will view a satellite feed in the United States.

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Hundreds of Souths supporters who missed out on tickets to the third qualifying final will also watch the game on television - at an official "live site" at the University of NSW.

The Bunnies are making their first finals appearance since 1989.

Holmes a Court will join the club's Southern Highland Supporters group at a pub in East Bowral.

Rabbitohs' media manager Jeremy Monahan said Crowe was in the US "promoting two movies".

"I'm told he'll only be available (to return) if we make the grand final," Monahan said.

The Oscar winner is busy talking up the western 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster, and has also started filming Body of Lies, a new movie about the Iraq war.

But Crowe will "definitely" watch the game via a satellite feed arranged with the help of Channel Nine, Monahan said.

The Sea Eagles couldn't confirm whether Jackman would be at Brookvale Oval for the big game.

"We spoke to him a few weeks ago, he said he may arrive," Manly media manager Peter Peters said.

Tensions between the two privately-owned clubs reached boiling point in August after Sea Eagles officials called Holmes a Court and Crowe publicity seekers and their club the new silvertails.

Holmes a Court said he was disappointed thousands of Rabbitohs fans missed out on tickets for Saturday's match due to the size of Brookvale Oval.

"It is a sad fact that only a small percentage of Rabbitohs fans can buy tickets to our first finals match in 18 years," Holmes a Court said.

South Sydney are encouraging fans to turn up to the university's "Roundhouse" in Kensington and other live sites across the state.

At the Roundhouse, pre-game interviews will be conducted by Triple M commentator and Rabbitohs fan Anthony Maroon, who will speak with players from the 1989 side including Steve Mavin, Paul Roberts, Mark Lyons and Darren Maroon.